2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Sonoma, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Sonoma or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Sonoma is 18.4% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Sonoma or Santa Cruz?
- Sonoma housing costs are 26.6% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Sonoma.
- Health related expenses are 2.0% more in Sonoma.
 Santa Cruz, CASonoma, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock111.4100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$906,700$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock108.6100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

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Reviews for Sonoma    12 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

I love Sonoma. Moved here from Texas and I can't wait to live in this small town with country living all around. I hate all the drama and crime in Vallejo. I live in  More

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I have lived in Sonoma for 3 years now. I relocated after a brief stint in Salt Lake City but lived in San Francisco for 30 years before that. If you like small town  More

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The best aspects of living in Sonoma County,CA: Air quality is best that one can ask for and there is no severe weather. No hazardous weather driving or walking  More

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